Stewart’s earns ‘historic’ honor
Recognition is for local businesses that have been in place for more than 50 years
Stewart’s Shops was honored Tuesday when its first store was inducted into the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry, a program that salutes local iconic businesses that have been in existence for at least 50 years and have had a notable impact on their home areas.
“Stewart’s Shops is honored to receive this distinction. We are proud to have served our communities for the past 77 years,” Gary Dake, president of Stewart’s Shops, said during a ceremony to commemorate the store.
Stewart's started as a Middle Grove dairy farm in 1917, which began selling Dake's Delicious Ice Cream in 1921.
By the post-world War II period, and with the founder’s son newly discharged from the military, they started selling Stewart's ice cream to the public from their store in Ballston Spa, which was considered to be the first Stewart's Shop.
By 1948, they were offering folding paper ice cream cartons, which allowed customers to bring home fresh ice cream more efficiently.
Eventually, the business expanded into the full convenience stores and gas stations that dot the Capital Region and much of upstate. Stewart's Shops are now in more than 350 locations across upstate New York and southern Vermont.
State Sen. James Tedisco and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, both Capital Region Republicans, nominated Stewart’s Shops to the state’s inaugural class of historic businesses.
The registry was established in 2020 and is administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
The company is among the highestrated employers in New York and employs over 5,000 people across its stores,
manufacturing plant, and corporate office. Stewart’s employees are called “partners” because they own over 40 percent of the company through an employee stock ownership plan.
“I’ve seen firsthand in my Senate district the positive impact Stewart’s has on a community, especially our smaller, rural towns and villages, and have partnered with them on several community service projects,” Tedisco said.
“I’m very excited to have had the opportunity to nominate and now recognize Stewart’s Shops for their incredible presence in the Capital Region and beyond,” added Walsh.
Other local businesses on the registry include Decrescente Distributing, Curtis Lumber, B. Lodge & Co., and the Queensbury Hotel, as well as Telescope Casual Furniture.
More than 100 New York state businesses currently have received the honorary distinction.